Philippines: Ongoing military operation against Islamist fighters displaces thousands

Event

Authorities announced on Thursday, May 11, that military operations targeting members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the southern island of Mindanao have displaced the residents of six towns since they started on May 5. More than 24,000 people fled their homes as the military used air strikes and heavy artillery against Islamist extremists who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). As many as 31 BIFF militants have been killed, including the group’s leader.

Context

While the Philippines is largely Catholic, the south is home to a sizable Muslim minority as well as extremist militant groups, such as BIFF, who are fighting for a separate Islamic state. Around 100 BIFF fighters were targeted by security forces after the militants planted make-shift bombs and committed a number of murders in recent months. The BIFF split from a major Muslim rebel group called the the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008 after the MILF opened peace negotiations with the government.

Advice

As a reminder, Philippine authorities advise against all travel to western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago due to frequent terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups. The Philipino government advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian.